Police: Accused Predator Used Snapchat To Get Nude Photos Of Boy

Joseph Boccanera. Photo by Boone County Sheriff’s Office.

(Boone County, Ky.) – It’s a local story that serves as a prime example of why parents need to be vigilant about their children’s social media activity.

A Crittenden man is facing accusations that he solicited nude photos from a 12-year-old boy on Snapchat. Joseph Boccanera, 20, was arrested Thursday and charged with Unlawful use of electronic means originating or received within the Commonwealth to induce a minor to engage in sexual or other prohibited activities (Class D felony) and the Use of a minor in a sexual performance (Class C felony).

Boone County Sheriff’s investigators say he communicated with the boy through the photo sharing app, asking him to take and send photos of his genitals. Detectives confiscated 18 electronics and storage media devices at his Wheat Court home for forensic analysis.

Boccanera may have had similar communications with other boys. Anybody who has been approached by him is asked to come forward to police.

He is being held in the Boone County Jail on a $100,000 bond. The sheriff’s office expects additional charges to be filed.